Bullets pull one out in overtime
It was the start of a new semester and the second half of the Bullet's season needed to get off to a good start if they were hoping for a chance at the Mason Dixon playoffs. And Gettysburg's second half did start on a good note but it was not easy.
Fresh off of their winter break, Gettysburg got right back in to the swing of things with a game against Mason Dixon opponent, Catholic University. Catholic had done well thus far only losing two of their games first semester and proving to be a real force in the Mason Dixon South Division. The Bullets would have to shake off the holiday cobwebs and get down to business.
However, Gettysburg did seem to be a bit jet lagged from the holidays and came out kind of flat. They were getting shots but not connecting well on passes. To make matters worse it would be Catholic that would strike first on a bouncing puck that would beat Senior goaltender Rich Sommerkorn. Gburg needed a jolt and that came with six and a half minutes left in the first when on the powerplay, Sophomore Ryan Flanagan let a shot go off the faceoff and buried past the goaltender tying the game at one. Off the next faceoff Junior Phil Deyette would win the draw to Freshman Mike Schopp who hit Senior Luke Archambault with a pass and he buried past the netminder to take the lead only 10 seconds after tying the game. But the Bullets were not done as they were awarded another powerplay minutes later and Freshman Matt Simeoni would bury a rebound to take a two goal lead. Finally with two minutes remaining in the first, Schopp broke away from the defense and beat the goaltender with a sweet move to the backhand, giving the Bullets a commanding 4-1 lead in the first.
Going in to the second the Bullets had a lot of confidence and were hoping to continue the success of the first period. But the one thing that has stood in their way all season really hit hard in the second. Bullets had penalty after penalty handed their way, some warranted, some questionable, but either way it was what Catholic needed to take Gburg off of their game. Two minutes in to the period on a four on four Catholic pulled within two goals on another bouncing puck past Sommerkorn. Two minutes later Gettysburg was short-handed again and Catholic capitalized with a powerplay goal. Half way through a penalty filled period Catholic would score again tying the game and deflating the Bullets lead. In a period that seem to last forever, the Bullets found themselves tied going in to the final frame.
The third period was a hard fought battle with the Bullets getting chance after chance and even ringing two off the post. With seven minutes to play Senior defenseman Tom Swon, took the puck up the ice unchallenged and let go a wicked wrist shot that fooled the goaltender and gave the Bullets the lead. Gburg was now confident about their chances as the momentum had swung back in their favor, but two minutes later Catholic would show they were not going quietly and came down the ice with a blast on Sommerkorn, and poked home the rebound.
The time was winding down and overtime was looking more and more likely, but with a minute remaining in the game, Gettysburg was awarded a powerplay and was going to attempt to make some last minute magic happen as they did in the Delco game last month. Shot after shot went towards the net but the Catholic goaltender would stand his ground and the game would head to overtime.
Similar to the NHL, overtime is played four on four and with time still left on the penalty to Catholic, Gettysburg liked their chances, beginning the overtime four on three. Off the opening faceoff Deyette won the draw to Simeoni who hit Archambault with the pass and he skated in to the Catholic zone and snapped a shot from the slot beating the Catholic goaltender to win the game 6-5.
It was a hard fought game and there could be a good chance Gettysburg sees Catholic in the playoffs. The Bullets had 40 shots on the night while Sommerkorn turned away 25. Thanks to all the fans who attended and the Bullets head South next weekend for the Rumble in Richmond Tournament in Richmond, VA.
